New proteins found on silicone BI's and ...gene biomarkers

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New proteins detected on silicone breast implants

http://www.physorg.com/news85744854.html

Published: 10:00 EST, December 19, 2006

New proteins detected on silicone breast implants

Medicine & Health / Research

Scientists in Austria are reporting detection of previously unrecognized proteins that accumulate on the surface of silicone breast implants after implants are in the body. Georg Wick and colleagues say that the proteins may be involved in causing immune reactions in patients from breast implants and other types of silicone implants.

Protein Biomarkers - Biomarker Discovery, MRM Assay Development, Biomarker Testing

www.nextgensciences.com

Their research involved 23 healthy women who were undergoing breast augmentation for cosmetic reasons, including some who were removing or replacing implants due to complications.

In an article in the current (December) issue of ACS' Journal of Proteome Research, a monthly publication, the scientists describe using a targeted proteomics approach to identify proteins adsorbed to the surface of silicone because those proteins have been identified as key components in local immune reactions to silicone. "Thus far we have identified the 30 most abundant proteins deposited on the surface of silicone, the largest known inventory of such proteins so far."

Noting uncertainty about any link between autoimmune disease and silicone implants, they state that the new report "shows that silicone promotes at least the adhesion of altered self-proteins, which in turn may trigger an autoimmune response of the immune system."

and this article...... ( click on the link for the full article, I only put part of it)

Gene chip technology shows potential for identifying life-threatening blood infection

http://www.physorg.com/news85760216.html

The researchers looked at the activity of thousands of genes 24 hours after the onset of sickness with the goal of identifying all the genes that might be markers of inflammation and infection. They found small increases in gene expression among hundreds of genes, but it was not the magnitude of change in gene expression that accurately distinguished sepsis from systemic inflammation. Instead, it was the pattern of changes in gene expression that proved to be important, Cobb says.

"Based on the profiles, we could easily distinguish mice who were sick with infection from mice who were really sick but did not have an infection," Cobb says. "We think this is an important first step to developing a similar test for human patients."

Nine of these genes turned out to be common responders to inflammation and infection in mice. Some of these genes also have been identified by other scientists studying infection and inflammation in humans but had not been identified as being central to the development of sepsis.

Five of the genes identified are linked to the activation or maturation of white blood cells called neutrophils. These cells are the immune system's first line of defense against invading organisms.

"At one level, we've found a suite of genes that are informative with regard to making a diagnosis," Cobb says. "But as biologists, we can also say these genes are major clues to the biology of infection and the host's response to it. If every type of infection activates these genes, then we know they must be important to the disease process, and may also be new treatment targets."

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